Ashley Sanders, a graduate of Oswego High School and Aurora University, is a content specialist with Sony Interactive and helped introduce a female player into the game “MLB: The Show.”  (Photo supplied by Oswego Community School District 308)

For the first time, video game players of MLB: The Show will have the option of playing as a woman on the field, thanks in part to Ashley Sanders, an Oswego High School and Aurora University graduate.

Sanders, a 2018 OHS graduate, helped develop the latest version of the game. She was recently featured during an NBC news segment highlighting her work toward women’s representation as a Content Specialist at Sony Interactive Entertainment.

As a member of the team, her job is to create content for the video game that reflects what’s happening in the current season.

The new female character featured in the latest version of MLB: The Show is inspired by Kelsie Whitmore, the first woman to play for a Major League Baseball-affiliated team.

A lifelong baseball lover and ardent Chicago White Sox fan, Sanders emphasized the importance of representation of women and girls in the sport during an interview.

Women have been involved in baseball for decades, she pointed out, from cheering in the stands, to their involvement in the Negro Leagues, stepping in during World War II, and holding ownership and leadership positions.

“It’s amazing that we can now fully encompass and encapsulate that, so women are equal in the spotlight,” she said.

Following her graduation from OHS, Sanders attended Aurora University where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English as well as a Bachelor of Science in Health Science, in addition to two minors, psychology and chemistry.

Still, she credited the seeds of her success to her time spent in SD 308’s classrooms.

Oswego High School staff who hold a special place for Sanders include Advanced Placement Biology teacher Pam Phelps; Honors English teacher Amy Severinksi and former Honors English teacher Carol Johnson; AP English teachers Tracey Contino and Stephanie Stegich; AP Psychology teacher Anne Sweeney; and Speech Team Coach Dave Mattes.

Sanders excelled under the rigorous AP curriculum offered throughout her high school years because of the way her teachers were able to take complex subjects and make class a fun and interesting place to be. She also felt her teachers pushed her to keep reaching higher and strive for excellence.

“Even though it has been over five years since Ashley was my student, I can still feel the vitality she brought to my AP Biology classroom,” Phelps said. “Ashley was meticulous in her work and unmatched in her enthusiasm for professional sports. It’s so cool to see her accomplishments with MLB: The Show and I bet Ashley will continue to amaze us.”

For SD 308’s current students, Sanders’ advice is to dream big and put in the work.

“Don’t let a dream just go to the side,” she said. “It can absolutely happen. You control your own destiny. If you put in the work now and enhance your writing skills, your math skills, even if you don’t use the pythagorean theorem, all the different skills and learning and critical thinking come in handy to make your dream a reality.”

Oswego Community School District 308